Shigella flexneri Illnesses Linked to Raw Oysters Imported from Mexico

The CDC is investigating an outbreak related to raw oysters. The FDA is investigating a subset of the outbreak. Between the harvesting dates of February 12, 2019, and April 9, 2019, five ill patients reported eating raw oysters shortly before becoming ill with Shigella flexneri. One of the five patients was hospitalized; there have been no deaths. Laboratory analyses confirmed that reported clinical illnesses matched pathogens found in product samples and traceback information indicated the implicated shellfish were harvested from Estero El Cardon, in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The oysters harvested in Estero El Cardon, Baja California Sur, Mexico, were distributed to California, Nevada, New York, and Arizona with illnesses reported in California, Nevada, and New Hampshire. The New Hampshire case reported eating at a restaurant in California shortly before becoming ill. On May 7, 2019, the Mexican Shellfish Sanitation Program authorities voluntarily closed the growing area of Estero El Cardon and halted oyster harvesting in response to the reported illnesses. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-investigates-shigella-illnesses-linked-imported-raw-oysters?utm_campaign=Alert%20Shigella%20in%20Raw%20Oysters%2005212019&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua